It has always been my opinion that ECom is NOT a panacea nor is it a threat.
ECom is a stepping stone; one of many Influences within the New MpS Partnership Ecosystem.
"When considering the inventory challenges that dealers and MPS providers are currently facing, it’s important to understand that they’re not unique to the channel and these customers would be challenged to find available printer inventory to purchase online or in-store as well..."
"It is a term that describes – relatively accurately – a state in which partnered businesses interact with each other on an equal footing. Although this describes partnerships in the past, the identification and quantification of this situation are significant. It represents a shift in how partnerships are seen by analysts." - AllTopStartups
Jay McBain has been evangelizing this structure for years. If you don't know about Jay, Googlitize his name and check it out.
###
The DOTC Partnership Ecosystem consists of 12 primary categories, plus one for Clients settling on 13 total Influences.
Within each Influence, there is at least one Influencer. An array of Influences work with a customer-facing entity, typically, the Dealer. All Influencers have sway on the customer experience. When the system is aligned, powerful solutions are successfully brought to market, solving real-world business problems.
This model represents a closely connected network of resources and providers similar to the structure of Market Places.
OK let's quickly explore the Influences within a DOTC Managed Print Services partnership ecosystem:
This week the "Suck ups" at work still suck but #WFH is softening the blow.
Social Media and freedom of speech are big subjects. Musk isn't the only one purchasing stock - Carl dips into the Xerox pool, twice in April.
Twitter is in the process of being purchased as one side of the aisle gains ten's of thousands of followers overnight while the other side loses thousands. Meanwhile, Twitter, for the second time, admits to overestimating the number of subscribers - Twitter utilizes a proprietary algorithm to calculate "active users".
The 'Twitter Experience' is shedding light on the entire social media construct. From Twitter to Google, to FaceBook, the sheen is off the rose as Musk may crack open the entire SEO/algorithm/fact-checking/shadow banning/account suspension schemes from ALL the platforms.
In more media news, the Biden administration rolled out its, “Disinformation Governance Board” under the Department of Homeland Security a move that has been in the works.
The timing is kismet.
On the WorkFromAnywhere front, studies continue to support increased productivity and profits generated during the great Covid lockdowns as the argument for employees returning to the cubicle grows louder. Critics and observers are citing negative psychological, economic, and diversification impacts of the #WFH movement.
Your MPSA published 10 points of the "2022 Print Industry Trends" by Louella Fernandes, great over the horizon points.
The managed print services (MPS) renaissance of 2022 rolls on, and it got me thinking: What’s the difference between then and now?
Let’s compare, shall we?
2007 – That Was Then
OEMs – Believe it or not, few OEMs had viable MPS practices, departments, or divisions. If an idea did not perpetuate or drag copier devices with the sale, it was not considered.
Supplies – This sector asserted to have been in managed print services for 20 years, which of course was impossible. This claim was an indicator of how the industry was going to equate MPS with selling supplies.
Dealers – Resellers were dubious and at times hostile to the concept of managed print services. The first rule of MPS was “reduce the cost of print,” which quickly translated into lower revenue. More importantly, MPS negatively impacted the golden goose – service revenue. A sales mantra was, “We can reduce the costs associated with your print by 30%.” Who in their right mind would knowingly reduce revenue by 30%?
The #RTO return to office movement chugs along, policies are being drawn up - some stacked against the employee. Big Blue is using Slack to wedge into the hybrid model - irony as IBM is a foundational member of the Work in the Office model.
If there is one word that describes the copier industry it is "resiliency", three groups of work from anywhere employees are developing and of all things, managed print services is still your leverage point into the future.
With all that's going on in the world, deja vu is all over the place:
The Russians/Soviets are the enemy, again.
The word "Stagflation" is being used, again.
Gasoline prices are through the roof, again.
Interest rates getting to double digits, again.
Huge political turmoil, again.
Abortion rights in the news, again.
The President of the United States is international befuddlement, again.
The US is in a proxy war, halfway across the world, again.
Back to the 70s -
Then-President Jimmy Carter got on national television, all three channels, and told citizens of the greatest nation in history to "turn down" thermostats to conserve energy. Gas prices crept up to 86 cents after a decade of below 40 cents per gallon.
The national speed limit went from 75 to 55MPH for the dual purpose to conserve fuel and saving lives. Studies reveal the latter did not occur.
Euthanasia, Karen Quinlan, Save the Whales, abortion, and No Nukes were the social issues of the day.
Japan was taking business away from the Big Three automakers, and Detroit was in an economic tailspin. "Stagflation" ruled and everyone was afraid of the Soviet Union.
Hostages in Iran, Marines died in the desert in a failed rescue attempt.
Are we in a Billy Joel video? No. No, we are not.
But we, a Nation, have been here before and we will be here again and again. It was bad back then in the 70s. It was bad in the 60s. Some say it's bad right now.
It is nothing new and we'll get through this, like your parents and your parents, parents did.
.gif)
